Nadeem Anjarwalla, the regional manager for Africa, has been apprehended by the Kenya Police Service.
Anjarwalla’s arrest, reported by Punch and confirmed by government sources familiar with the matter, marks a pivotal moment in the case that has garnered widespread attention within the cryptocurrency community and beyond.
The international criminal police organisation, Interpol, is actively involved in the proceedings and is working towards Anjarwalla’s extradition to Nigeria within the week.
This development underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the allegations against him.
Anjarwalla’s arrest follows a dramatic escape on March 22 from a guest house in Abuja, where he and Gambaryan had been held by Nigerian authorities.
Reportedly, Anjarwalla managed to flee while guards accompanied him to a nearby mosque for prayers during the Ramadan fast.
It’s alleged that Anjarwalla utilized a Kenyan passport to leave Nigeria, adding an international dimension to the legal complexities surrounding the case. Both Anjarwalla and Gambaryan were initially arrested and detained by Nigerian authorities on February 28, facing charges of tax evasion and money laundering.
While Anjarwalla faces extradition, his colleague, Tigran Gambaryan, remains in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria after undergoing legal proceedings.
The arrest of Anjarwalla has reignited discussions surrounding cryptocurrency regulation and the accountability of industry leaders.
Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has been at the forefront of this debate as authorities seek to address potential financial misconduct within the sector.
Recently, Yuki, Gambaryan’s wife, made a heartfelt appeal to the Nigerian government, urging for her husband’s release and asserting his lack of influence over Binance’s corporate decisions.
The plea reflects the personal toll the legal proceedings have taken on individuals involved in the case.
As the legal process unfolds and extradition efforts continue, the case of Nadeem Anjarwalla serves as a stark reminder of the regulatory challenges facing the cryptocurrency industry and the global pursuit of financial transparency and accountability.
